Machine for spacing and spiking rails to ties



C.- G. HASTINGS.

MACHINE FOR SPACING AND SPIKING RAILS T0 TIES.

APPLICATION nuau JULY 3,1911.

1 ,32 1 90 Patented Nov. 18, 1919.

3 SHEETS-SHEET x.

I 3SHEETS-SHEET2.

C. G. HASTINGS.

MACHINE FOR SPACING AND SPIKING RAILS T0 TIES.

' APPLICATIONFILED JULY 3.1911. 1,321,909. 1 Patented Nov. 18,1919.

C. G. HASTINGS.

MACHINE FOR SPACING AND SPIKING RAILS TO TIES.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 3, 1911.

1,32 1,909. Patented Nov. 18, 1919 SHEET 3.

12 1.9 zzg /flm CORNELIUS G'r. I-IASTINGS, F GLENDALE, CALIFORNIA, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO B. 11.

WALTERS, OF LANCASTER, OHIO.

MACHINE FOR SPACING AND SPIKING RAILS T0 TIES.

iseneee.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. 18, 1919.

Application filed July 3, 1917. Serial No. 178,500.

mes, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of the city of Glendale, in the county of Los Angeles and State of Cali fornia, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Machines forSpacing and Spiking Rails to Ties; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description of the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to the numerals of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

Heretofore in railroad track construction it has been customary to lay the ties by hand, then the rails thereon and then to spike the rails to the ties. Thisprocess is comparatively slow and requires considerable unskilled labor.

It is an object of this invention to provide a machine for spiking the railsto the ties whereby power operated means drive the spikes permitting a great number of rails being secured in place cheaply and quickly.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a machine of the class specified in which all the spikes, usually four-in number, may be driven simultaneously into the tie and to provide to coacttherewith amechanism for rigidly holding the tie against the rail until after the spikes have been driven.

It is further an object of this invention to provide a mechanism for automatically spacing the rails the exact distance apart to be spiked and which when not in useunay be swungupon the olatform.

It is further an ob ect of this invention to provide a machinefor the purpose set forth which is adapted to be propelled-by its own power as the spiking process proceeds and in which all the various coacting devices and mechanisms are so mounted that when not in use they may be swung upon the platform permitting the machine to travel by its owirpower to the construction-campor wherever desiredfor new work.

It is further an object of this invention to provide a mechanism which -when the spikes are driven completely.homeacts to absorb the force of the blow to thereby-prevent the heads of the spikes being broken It is ,furtheran object of this invention to provide adjustable spike holders so that the spikes may be positioned properly with different widths of rail flanges, z. a, with the heads at a right angle to the rail.

The inventionconsists in the matters hereinafter described and morefully pointed out and defined in the drawings, specification and appended claims.

On the drawings: Figurel illustrates a top plan view of a machine embodying my invention,

Fig. 2 is a side view thereof. Fig. 3 1s an enlarged slde elevation of the spike driving mechanism.

Fig. i is a view of the same mechanism with one of the spike drivers and actuating mechanism in longitudinal vertical section.

Fig. 5 is a top plan view of the spike driv ing mechanism with a part in section and parts omitted.

Fig. 6 is a top plan view thereof.

Fig. 7 is an enlarged detail of one of the tie supporting tongs.

Fig. 8 is an enlarged detail of the rail spacer.

F 1g. holder.

Fig. 10is a front elevation thereof. Fig. 11 is a rear elevation thereof. Fig. 12 is a bottom plan view of the spike 9 is a vertical section of the spike holder.

Fig. holder.

As shown 011 the drawings:

1 indicates a platform supported by suitabletrucks which comprise wheels 2 on the shafts 3-4, which are journaled tothe plat- 13 is a top plan view of the spike form by means of suit-able bearings. Said platform is provided with suitable wheel l101]S111gS5,dIld pivotedto the front end of the platform is a rail spacer which comprises bearings 6, rigidly secured to the platform in which is journaled a shaft 7, on the and 16, controls the connecting of the gear 14, with the engine shaft.

On the opposite end of the engine shaft is 'jonrnaled a sprocket wheel 17, and a clutch of the pipe 21. A sprocket wheel 23 is secured on the shaft 22, of the compressor and a sprocket chain 24, engages around the same and the sprocket wheel 17, for driving sald compressor. Mounted at each side of the platform between two ad acent platform frame angle bars are the sp1ke driving mechanisms.

Each are constructed the same and comprise a standard 25, which is pivotally mounted on the frame members bymeans of a shaft or bolt 26, which engages in the bearings 27, as shown in Fig. 5, and integral with said standard are apertured lugs 28, through which and suitable apertured lugs 29, integral with the bearing 27, a locking bolt 30,'passes and serves to lock the stand ard in upright position when the matchine is in use.

Said standard, as shown in Fig. 3, is provided with a grooved guide way 31, in which slides a rack bar 32, which meshes with a gear 33, secured on a shaft 34, journaled on the standard 25, and a pawl 35, engages the gear 33, and prevents movement thereof in one direction until released. Said shafts 34, are squared at the outer ends to permit engagement with a wrench for turning the same. I

Integral with said rack bar 32, is-a yoke member 36, having arms 3738, between which are pivotally engaged arms 39, on the outer ends of which are carried pneumatic driving mechanisms designated as a whole by the reference numerals 4041, as shown in Fig. 3.

These pneumatic driving devices are of any usual construction and inasmuch as they are well known need not be specifically described. However, flexible pipes 42, connect the cylinders 44, with the pressure tank and in said cylindersis provided a driver or hammer 45, adapted to be raised and lowered by the compressed air from the tank which is controlled by the valve 46, as is usual in such constructions.

Threaded into the lower end of each casing is a head 47, integral with the upper end of which is a contact stem 48, for the hammer 45, to strike against and a driving stem 49, extends downwardly from said head 47, into position to drive the spike 50.

A spike receiver and holder is provided which comprise a shoe or casing 51, secured to arms 53, which in turn are pivoted to a yoke or member 54, rigidly secured to the lower end of the-standard 25. Said shoe 51,

is provided with a flange 55, at its lower end and has a square opening in its outer wall through which the spike is inserted.

Rigidly but at the same time adjustably secured to the shoe 51, is a spike holder 56, which is provided with a slotted flange 57 and is secured to the flange 55, by means of screw bolts 58. Said members 51 and 56, have an axial bore therethrough, and the holder 06, has its opposite walls cut away as shown clearly in Figs. 4 and 9. Pivoted to said member 56, is a finger 61, which coacts with the finger 58, pivoted in the opposite wall to receive and support a spike therebetween until the same is driven into the ties. As shown, said fingers have interfitting flanges indicated by dotted lines, Figs. 4 and 9, and are provided with cam faces on their inner sides whereby the spike automatically forces them apart as it is being driven and springs 59-430, return said fingers to normal to receive and hold another spike.

As shown in Fig. 3, a rod 62 is secured, to and carried by one of the arms 39, and at its lower end extends through an aperture in one of the arms or brackets 53, (shown in dotted lines in Fig. 3) whereby the hammer stems 49, are at all times held alined with the axial bores in the spike holders and the rod also acts to adjust the hammer mechanism and spike holders simultaneously when they are adjusted to position the spike at the right point for driving into the tie.

For the purpose of absorbing the impact of the hammers when the spike is driven home a strong leaf spring 64, is rigidly secured at one end to the bottom of the rack bars 32, and is curved downwardly at its outer end adapted at the limit of driving of the spike to contact the rigid yoke member 54, on the lower end of the standard 25, and to thereby receive any further driving impact of the mechanism directly thereon.

For the purpose of firmly holding the tie against the bottom of the rail, a set of tongs are pivoted to each side of the plat form and comprise tong members or arms 66-67, hooked at their lower ends to engage under the tie and pivotally connected ad jacent their upper ends with the ends 6869, projecting beyond the pivot point and toggle levers 70-71, are pivotally connected at their lower ends to the respective end of the tong levers and at their opposite or upper ends the toggle levers are pivoted together to a link 72, which in turn is pivotally connected to one end of a lever 73. Said lever is pivoted to the frame with the fulcrum point a suitable distance fromthe ends and the outer end of the lever extends beyond a plurality of apertures 74, in the frame through which a key may be inserted to lock the lever in any adjustment to firmly hold the tie in position.

reeneee i The operation is as follows:

As the machine is advanced over the track the rail spacer at the front automatically spreads the ails theprOp'er distance apart arethen hooked under the respective ends of the tie and the levers actuated which in turn forces the tie firmly QgzLiDSttlIGFbOtiDIII of the rails and 21. key being 111S6ltGCll11 the proper aperture r'el, firmly locksthe tongs iirthis position.

permitting free movement of the pneumatic able valves.

clpikes are next inserted in the spike carriers andsaid carriers swung into the proper position, as shown one on each side of each rail. The pawls 35, are of course released her 54, to take up the further impulses of the drivingmechanism and supports the same sul'istantiallyin one positlon no matter how long the driving keeps up thereby preventing the heads being snapped off the bolts.

After the spikes have been driventhe pawl is engaged with the gears 83, and the shaft 34, rotatedwhich elevates the driving mechanism and stem 49, high enough to permit insertions of new spikesafter which the operation is repeated. i

At the end of the dayif desired to take the machine to camp or move it thespacer is swung ontothe frame. Also locking bolts 30, are withdrawn whichpern'iitsthe driving mechanism as a whole being swung on the pivot 26, above the frame and a bar or support placed thereunder to support the mechanism above the platform. Likewise the tongs may be swung onto the frame and fastened in any suitable manner.

By starting the engine and actuating clutch 16, power is applied to the driving gears 15, on the drive shaft 4, which of course drives the machine as a whole over the tracks.

The flexible pipes L2-43 of course permit free movement-of the spike driving mechanism. It will also be noted that the spike holder by the slotted flange connection may be adjusted as to compensate for different widths of flanges.

The proper pressure may be always maintained in the tank by means of the compr ssor engine.

I am aware that numerous changes may be made and that details may be varied through a wide range without departing from the principles of my invention. I therefore desire to claim broadly a mechanism for the purposdherein set forth and not to lllhl'ttlie claims otherwise thannecessitate'd by the prior-art. Ii clalm as my invention to be spiked to the ties. The clan'iping tongs r1. A machine for spiking rails to ties comprising a splke Cl1'1V111g mechanlsm, power operated means for actuatmg the same, mechanism l for firmly holding the ties against the rails and a resilient mechanism fortakingthe impact of the driving mechanism directly thereon after the spike is fully driven into the tie. I

A machine for spiking rails to ties comprising a spike driving mechanism, power operated means for actuating the same, mechanism for firmly holding the ties againstthc ails, a shaft,ashaft-pivotally connected thereto and spacing rollers on said shaft to space the rails apart.

3111111, machinefor. spiking rails to ties a platform, power operated mechanism for moving the platform, spike drlvlngmechanismsecured to the platform adapted to drive a plurality of spikes simultaneously and a mechanlsm plvoted to the forward end of the platform for spacing the rails apart and adapted to be swung upon the platform when not 111 use.

1-. In amachine for spikingarails to ties a platform, power operated mechanism for 1 1l0Vl11g"th(- platform, spike driving mecha-nlsm secured to the platform adapted to drive a plurality of spikes simultaneously,

a rack bar connected with the spike driving mechanism, a shaft and a pinion on said shaft meshing with the rackbar for elevatmg. the spike drlvmg mechanism, and a "mechanism at each side of the platform adapted to holdfthe ties whenthe spikes are belng driven.

In a machine of the class described a platform movable under its own power, rail spacing rollers pivoted to the forward end thereof, tie holders pivoted to the sides of the platform and adapted to grip and lift the tie'up against the rail and spike driving mechanisms pivoted to the sides of the platform.

6. In a machine of the class described a platform movable under its own power, a rail spacer pivoted to the forward end thereof, tie holders pivoted to the sides of the platform, spike driving mechanisms pivoted to the sides of the platform, a pneumatic operated mechanism. for actuating the spike driving mechanism, and a resilient member for taking the impact of the driving mechanism thereon after the spike is driven.

7. In a machine for spiking rails to ties, a platform, an adjustable spike holder secured thereto, spring pressed fingers forming part of thespike holder for holding the spike preliminary to driving the same adapted to automatically open to permit passage of the spike therethrough and to spike therethrou'gh and to automatically gclose-to hold another spike therein, a stem for driving said spikes through the holders I into a tie, a' pneumatic hammer for driving I thestem' and a spring for taklng the lmpact of said hammer after the spikes are driven. 9.. In a machine for spiking rails to ties, a platform, an adjustable spike holder secured thereto, fingers pivoted to the spike fholder having interfitting flanges for holding the spike preliminary to driving the same adapted to automatically open to permit passage of the spike therethrough, springs bearing against the fingers adapted to automatically close the fingers to hold another spike therein, mechanism for driving said spikesthrough the holders into a tie, mechanism for coacting with the driving mechanism to firmly hold the ties against the rails as the spikes are being driven and mechanism. for automatically spacing the rails preliminary to spiking the same to the ties.

10. In a machine for spiking rails to ties,

a platform, a standard pivoted to the platform, a spike holder secured thereto adjustable to properly position the spikes on different sized rails, a driving member ada platform, power operated mechanism for moving the platform, spike driving mechanism secured to the platform adapted to drive a plurality of spikes simultaneously and a spring for taking the impact of the spike driving mechanism directly thereon after the spikes are fully driven into the ties.

12. In a machine of the class described the combination of a rail supported frame, a' pair of spike driving mechanisms at each side of the frame adapted to straddle the rail and each independently adjustable laterally'to and from the rail, and supporting means for the driving mechanism adjustable vertically on said rail supported frame.

13. In a device of the class described the combination of means for driving spikes, power operated mechanism for operating the spike driving means, and spike holders embracing the lower end of the spike driving means and adjustable laterally thereof.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

CORNELIUS G. HASTINGS.

Witnesses:

CHARLES W. HILLS, J12,

EARL M. HARDINE. 

